From Z Street: Jerusalem - The Time is Now!

The only apologies should come from those attempting to bar Jews from building homes and living in any neighborhoods in Jerusalem PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDINGATTACK ON ISRAEL'S APPROVAL OFBUILDING HOUSES FOR JEWS IN JERUSALEM***

THE TIME IS NOW

It is time to speak out, for all who believe that Jews have the same political freedom, national, civil and religious liberties as every other people to live anywhere in the world, including the right to live anywhere in Jerusalem, Judaism’s eternal capital. To suggest, demand, or even submit to anything less is to support overt religious persecution.

The outrage hurled against the Jewish State by the current US administration for (1) daring to approve the building of homes for Jews in a Jewish neighborhood, two miles from the holiest site in Judaism, the Temple Mount, and for (2) daring to do so when US Vice President Joe Biden was in Israel, is grossly misplaced and is itself an affront. The public expression of this outrage is yet another means to pressure Israel’s government unfairly.

Outrage should, more appropriately, be directed at those expressing the outrage. We are especially appalled at those who claim to be supporters of Israel and yet demand that this policy of religious bigotry be enforced with threats of official shunning both diplomatically and in terms of military support.

Let’s be clear: The only apologies should come from those attempting to bar Jews from building homes and living in any neighborhoods in Jerusalem, and from those who think that if Jews do build in Jerusalem they should do it quietly, and hope that no one notices. We reject any such discrimination and duplicity. We say to all those who claim to support the Jewish State, including Israeli officials, not to be afraid, to say out loud: Yes! Jews can, do, and will build and live in Jerusalem, now and forever. We call on all those who reject this position to explain why an official policy of religious discrimination is acceptable when it is enforced against Jews.

It is most shocking that a US administration claiming to support a strong Israel, would allow its policies to fan the flames of Arab hatred, incitement and violence against its only free and democratic Middle Eastern ally.

IF YOU AGREE WITH THE ABOVE AND ALSO WANT TO PUBLICLY ASSERT YOUR BELIEF IN THE RIGHT OF JEWS TO LIVE ANYWHERE, ESPECIALLY IN ANY NEIGHBORHOOD IN JERUSALEM, PLEASE EMAIL LORILOWENTHALMARCUS@ZSTREET.ORG